Benjamin Mendy, recently acquitted of charges of rape and sexual assault, is now taking legal action against his former club, Manchester City. Mendy claims that the club failed to pay his €7.1 million annual salary during the months leading up to his trial, amounting to around €13 million. He argues that City unfairly withheld his wages during this period.
In an interview with The Telegraph, Mendy stated: “Several first-team players at Manchester City, including the club captain, attended the same parties as me. We all drank alcohol, and we all engaged in casual relationships with women. We also broke Covid-19 restrictions. While this doesn’t excuse my behavior, I find it unfair that Manchester City has singled me out. The difference is, I was falsely accused and publicly humiliated.”
Mendy also mentioned that some teammates supported him financially during this difficult time. He added, “I was just as ready and able to fulfill my duties as the other Manchester City players who attended the same parties, yet I was the one sidelined.”
In response, Manchester City’s lawyer, Sean Jones, refuted Mendy’s claims. He argued that Mendy’s contract did not absolve him of responsibility for his actions: « His behavior, while on police bail, contributed to his inability to perform his duties. The issue of his salary is not disciplinary but rather that he was unable to fulfill his responsibilities due to his own actions. »
